We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie Buol, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My company was born out of a tragic time in my life. In June of 2009, when I was 20 weeks pregnant with twins, I was told I was being laid off from my job as the marketing director of an Atlanta accounting firm. Three weeks later, I went into early labor and we lost the first of our twin boys at 23 weeks. Six days later, I went into labor again and delivered our second son, who was stillborn, and nearly died in the process myself. Needless to say, my husband and I were devastated.

But from the depths of loss arose my new adventure. When I found out I was being laid off, I knew I couldn’t go out and find another job in my current condition. I had always wanted to start another company, so figured this was fate telling me now was the time. After we lost the boys, my options widened, but I also was hit hard with the reality that life is short. With that focus in mind, I decided to continue on the path of starting my own business and see if I could make it work. I officially launched my company on August 31, 2009.

While the services I provide are broad, the audience I serve has always been narrow – professional services firms. I chose to focus on this market simply because I found it difficult to find outside resources who understood the complexities of marketing professional services firms in my role as marketing director for an accounting firm. Since I had some experience in this area, it seemed like a logical place to start.

Now, looking back over the last 12 years, I’m amazed at what I’ve been able to accomplish. At one point, my company employed six people, but four years ago I decided to scale back to get back to what I truly loved: working with clients to help them market and grow their businesses. I have worked with businesses in over 25 states and two Canadian provinces and have achieved a national reputation for my expertise and client focus. While I have worked harder at this than anything in my life, I love what I do and am proud of what I have built. It hasn’t been an easy road, but one definitely worth traveling…

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My biggest differentiator is my focus on professional services marketing. What may be tried and true for other types of businesses simply doesn’t work for professional services firms like those in accounting, law, engineering, IT, etc. Because the services they provide often can’t be touched, they are not always well understood by the market, making it difficult for clients to properly value the benefits they receive. This challenge is further complicated by the fact that so many firms use the same language when talking about themselves. These factors, and many more, confuse prospective clients and lead to commoditization. These businesses sell intangibles like expertise, peace of mind, and ultimately, their greatest offering is a high level of trust. When prospects start to understand this value, they realize the vital importance of working with the right firm and will tell their colleagues and friends to do the same.

My first lesson was that I can’t do everything. When there is little revenue coming in, I, like most new business owners, thought I could do it all. Hell, I have an MBA, right? It wasn’t long until it really hit me that hiring people that are experts in their field, starting with a good bookkeeper, is the smart route to take. Sure, I can do it, but it takes me much longer and is not as accurate. But if I pony up and pay someone to do that work for me I can focus on what I do well, and bill for that time myself too.

Secondly, most entrepreneurs are control freaks, and I am no exception. But the life of a business owner is often filled with curveballs and unexpected obstacles. You have to learn to deal with those and move on. Panicking when things go awry doesn’t do any good. Some days will be good and others will be bad, but learn from every experience you have and do your best to take that information and improve yourself and your company with it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is full of fun and interesting places to visit! For those interested in more touristy stuff, the Georgia Aquarium, Civil Rights Museum, CNN Center, Coca-Cola Museum, Olympic Park and the High Museum are going to fill up a few days. Sports lovers can catch a game or visit the College Football Hall of Fame. Music lovers have myriad options including the more known Fox Theater, Chastain or Lakewood to the more intimate like the Tabernacle, Smith’s Olde Bar or Terminal West. And don’t get me started on the amazing food options in this city, from the elegant dining rooms to the dive bars. We even have the most famous strip club in the world in the Clermont!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Judi Vitale

Website: http://bbrcompanies.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniebuolruszczyk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBRConsults

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBRMarketing

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMHciCPa6PT0kPiqKuKLNA

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.